Old Testament - Today we read about Jephthah and his daughter - and the related vow. It is interesting to note that some Biblical scholars do not think that Jepthah actually killed his daughter, but that she simply died a virgin, as verse 38 says. However... verse 38 also says he kept his vow. Keep in mind that oftentimes the Bible reports "just the facts," which does not necessarily mean the "facts" or actions of what us humans did was pleasing in God's sight. Human sacrifice was not part of God's laws or plans. It is clearly forbidden in Leviticus chapter 20 verses 1-5 and in Leviticus chapter 18:21 - " 'Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD."

New Testament - I am so excited that we are starting the Gospel of John today!! I won’t necessarily say that it is my favorite Gospel – because all 4 are amazing. But, I will say that John is different from the other 3. If by chance you felt like reading Luke these past few weeks has gotten repetitive when compared to Matthew and Mark, hang in there! John is different. Beautifully different. John Chapter 15 is definitely one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I cannot wait to read it again! I actually have a cool personal story to share with you all about John Chapter 15. I’ll do so either in a future email or on the blog when we get to this chapter.

I have a feeling there are probably a few folks who have dropped off the One Year Bible readings over this past few months. I’d like to invite you to jump back in and join us now as we’re beginning John and will soon be starting Ruth. These are 2 great books for you to start back up with us again!

One thing I’ll recommend to everyone, if you have a chance this next week, is to watch the movie “The Gospel of John”. Have you seen it? It is incredibly well done. It was released in theaters on a limited basis a few years ago, and I was fortunate enough to have caught it in the theater. It is a 3 hour movie that goes word-for-word through the Gospel of John, based on the Good News Bible translation. Or, perhaps you’ll want to read the Biblical text first and then watch the movie later. Either way. I definitely recommend this film. You can hopefully pick it up at a video rental store. A friend of mine was surprised to have found it at the local supermarket little video rental section recently. The movie's website is at this link.

The Gospel of JohnAuthor: JohnPlace: EphesusDate: A.D. 85-96Content: The Gospel of John was written many years after Jesus’ death and resurrection by the apostle John so that those who read it might believe in Christ and thus have life through his name. John begins with a prologue unique to this Gospel where Jesus’ preexistent life with the Father is depicted to show that Jesus was not simply a great man, but God. Miracles of Jesus as well as many of Jesus’ teachings not found elsewhere are then described. A long section in John chapters 14 through 17 describes Jesus’ teaching to his apostles before his death. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, special place is given to Jesus’ appearance to his apostles.Theme: The Gospel of John more than any other Gospel stresses the deity of Christ and provides us with an interpretation of his life. He is explained in figurative terms as light, truth, love, good shepherd, the door, the resurrection and the life, living water, true bread, and more. The beautiful material found in John chapters 14 through 17 shows the deep love of Jesus for the believer and the peace that comes from faith in Christ. (Above commentary is from “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 22-23) Great commentary on John by Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org is at this link: http://bible.org/page.php?page_id=2348

Today in John Chapter 1 verse 14 we read – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Do you believe that Jesus is the Word John is referring to? What does this mean to you that the Word became flesh? Do you believe that Jesus was born into this world both fully divine and fully human (yet sinless)? Why would God send Jesus, full of light, grace and truth into the world? Why was this necessary?

Today in John Chapter 1 verses 10 & 11 we read – “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” Do you believe that the world was made through Jesus? Do you believe the world is Jesus’ own? Have you ever gone through periods in your life where you have not recognized Jesus for who he truly is? ( I know that I have) Have you gone through periods of your life where Jesus has come to you and you did not receive him? ( Again, I know that I have) As you read through the Gospel of John this year will you prayerfully read it? Will you ask God to reveal to you through John’s Gospel who Jesus really is? And will you ask God to make Jesus more known to you this year than ever before? Do you believe this is possible – for you to know Jesus more this year than in your prior years? Do you believe the Gospel of John and prayer can help you to truly know Jesus more?

Bible.org's commentary on our readings in John today titled "What Child is This?" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 101 is a great Psalm of David today! Great verses, all of them. I like verse 3 - "I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar." This seems to be a bit tougher and tougher to adhere to in our modern world where pornography is getting more and more into the mainstream. But, it is such a beautiful and true Psalm of David for us to adhere to! Do you refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar? Do you avoid watching TV shows, reading magazines or papers, or going to see movies where you know you'll end up looking at things vile & vulgar? Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying avoid watching all TV, reading all mags & papers or avoid all movies. I'm just saying that there are some of these forms of media that we know in advance that what they "sell" us will be vile and vulgar. Why would we "buy" that garbage? Refuse to look at it. Don't give it one inch of power over you! (or your kids!)

A portion of verse 2 stood out to me today - "I will lead a life of integrity in my own home." This is powerful. How often do we have integrity outside of our home - but then not display integrity within our own home? Think this is healthy? Should we strive for leading a life of integrity within our own home?

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 14 verse 13 teaches us today: "Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains." This is an interesting look at laughter!

Worship God: I mention the Gospel of John movie in my comments above. Here's a great 10 minute clip from the movie:

Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Some say laughter is the best medicine... and oftentimes I agree. But, this Proverb tells us that laughter may not always heal a heavy heart... Perhaps something more than laughter is needed when we have a heavy heart? Perhaps - God is needed? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

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Hi. This is my first post here. First, thanks for this blog. You have obviously put alot into it. I really appreciate it.
Second, thoughts that "came" to me as I was reading Judges. I use KJV so I don't know exactly what words the other versions use. In v31, his vow says "whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house," interesting that he does not say "whosoever". But why would he have expected something non-human to "come from the doors" of his house? Unless he didn't mean his home but something more like 'the gates of his property'? Was he trusting God to send the animal He wanted to be sacrificed at the appropriate time? Nevertheless I think it was a warning not to make rash vows or bargains with the Lord.

I'm still here Mike!
Today's OT reading was all new to me! When Jephthah said whatever came out of his house to meet him was not a smart thing to say. Family would come to greet him most likely, even if he had a dog that was an odd thing to say. Then he followed thru on his vow.
His faith had been tarnished by the people of the land & he had forgotten as you said the Lord had forbidden it. I wonder how many of us are doing the same thing? We go to our churches but you hear so many different things taught that are not Biblical but you feel you are being righteous because it was taught there. Hope I made this clear, it's very early in the morning.
I love the DVD of John, I too, saw it at the movies & was touched beyond belief. I cried as if I relived my coming to Christ again. I haven't seen it in awhile so will look forward to watching it when we finish the book of John.
Psalms today was very convicting.
Thank you for all you do here.
Julie R

First of all, I'll like to thank Mike for providing this forum for discussions; this is highly appreciated.
I was mostly touched by Judges 11:34-39 - I want to believe that Jephthah was a bit rash in making such a vow, could he not have imagined the possibility of any member of his household coming to welcome him? But the lesson here for me was that he followed through! I mean he was faithful enough to follow through even though it meant sacrificing his only child! God is not demanding for us make a vow, but He expects us to fulfill it if we make one; its up to us to be careful about the vows we make!
Again Jephthah's daughter must have been a very obedient child, she did not even argue or accuse the father, she willingly surrendered herself for the sacrifice! Knowing my kind of person, I would not have surrendered without a fight! I would not even surrender, Jephthah would have to figure out other ways of fulfilling his vow.
I loved reading the book of John, this confirms that Jesus is also God and He dwelt among us.
Thanks everyone and have a great day!

The Gospel according to John... ahhh... And it's finally spring here in New England. Life is good. God is good. The first five verses of John are some of my absolute favorites... next to chapter ten that is... and fourteen... and, well, John is simply amazing. Great video. Thanks for posting. We're still with you Mike!

I'm still here and have been here everyday. I just don't always have time to post up to the blog.

I believe that laughter is good medicine. An Apple a day keeps the doctor away but laughter everyday keeps the devil away. I believe by having laughter in our lives on a daily bases our hearts will never become too heavy. Laughter is good for the soul. When you keep Jesus in your life, pray and talk with him everyday and share Him with others one can't help to be light hearted and laugh.